Grand Luna." Dad insists,

dash into the hallway, her voice growing faint as she announces our arrival. By now, I'm terrified. Agreeing to this was a monumental mista

unge; more of a manly touch, what with all the technology and dark decor. My stomach

an grins, tapping the armrest

oom." I gulp, jumping

plies. "We've only just gotten here. I asked y

Always finding way

t's the best impression to give, don't you t

athroom is upstairs. First floor, s

could shift and get the heck out of here but the consequences woul

an ankle in these heels. Everything's a blur and I vaguely remember Da

zzles my vision and I pace furiously, wi

anyone else. You can feel the anticipation, the poten

ing my eyes. "I can't let anybody have this effect

Trust our instincts. Whe

lf in a shaky voice. "I don't trust these...

e. He's in this very house a

st know we're h

How can someone have such an effect on me? I'm Aly Evans, the confident daughter of

elf up in the ornate mirror, smoothing the soft fabric of my dress

ride to the door and pull it open, stumbling to a ha

golden irises shimmering eerily. I'm so fixated on his fierce gaze, I don't even check him out

ter in a croaky voice, c

ed to the light. His powerful heartbeat calls out to me, enticing me to react with every thud. I want to look away, save myself from this stare-down bu

ling a set of pearly white, perfect teeth. I seem to choke on air at this point, blood pounding in my ears. There's a warm, fuzzy feeling spreading through me and time begins to lag. His

a moment to realise we b

d's stern voice

n, trailing a finger gently down the mid

" With a final whisper, he disappears in flas

urning on his heel, Dad stomps to the stairs. I hear a deep chuckle tickle my ear as I

you? Good. I love a challenge..." His husky bari

trouble and ther

introduction. He seems to forget that I saw him only a few short minutes ago, when

si." I reply sweetly, sti

other Dante. If anything, a playful smirk grows on his chiseled features. Howeve

e adds, standing near the couch

my back to everyone. Feeling wholly unsettled, I don't want Dad's probing eyes to sniff out why I

es, it's easier to act cool when I don't have to make eye c

, Aly! What a f

ies seem to billow through my stomach and unconsciously, I gasp

The rest of him is just as captivating as those distinct irises and I feel like I

cks are the perfect length; short yet smooth. There's something about his features, an aristocratic air

elming. He's busy talking to Nora, who's re-entered the lounge with an actual tea trolley full of snacks. The minute we make eye contact, he pau

ly offended if you don't." Dante break

o need to be shy." Nora chi

Backed into a corner, I perch awkwardly on the nearest armchair, opposite Dante. Nora hands me a delicate cu

d love to...it takes a lot of

ughter's behaviour." Dad announces, much to my cha

ta Evans. No need to apologise." Hi

re not the cause of my lack of conversation

Dad's going to be pis

I'm not the only one shocked by his reaction,

his piercing stare raking over me and I try my best not to squirm. His little

fully obvious that the both of you are mates." I wince at his directness.

"I wholeheartedly accept Aly." Dante replies smoothly, looking at me while he answers. "I want to get to know her and show that I'm

! Of course w

f he can hear my wolf

Dad narrows his eyes, as if to say; 'your reputation an

s?" Dante adds softly, with an entici

in a tiny voice, shruggin

I could have given away some of my true enthusiasm but I couldn't

ng her hands. "With the formalities out of the way, I

llow her son to some secluded place and let him work his magic. Fat chance of that. "How about you give us a tour

but I pretend to be oblivious. Eventually, he follows Dante's mother out of the lounge. The minute the doors close, Dante appears in front of me. I look up in shock, his towering f

ruffling his tousled hair. "Finding your mate is supposed

I do, dance in jo

s, laughing lightly. "I thought yo

mate." I grudgingly tell him the t

He asks instantly, a ha

whelmed by Dante's proximity. If anything, he deser